# Paralegal/Legal Assistant (Certificate)

Mt. San Antonio College · 2026-2027 Catalog · Department: Paralegal Legal Assistant

Source: https://catalog.mtsac.edu/programs/programsaz/paralegal-legal-assistant/paralegal-legal-assistant-certificate/

**Business Division  
Business Administration Department**  
The paralegal program is intended to prepare students for employment as paralegals in both private and public sectors following graduation. According to the American Bar Association's House of Delegates: "A paralegal is a person, qualified by education, training or work experience who is employed or retained by a lawyer, law office, corporation, governmental agency or other entity and who performs specifically delegated substantive legal work for which a lawyer is responsible.” Paralegals must comply with the legal restrictions in the practice of law by nonlawyers. The California Business &Professions Code, Section 6450 et seq, governs paralegals in California. This certificate requires previous completion of an associate or baccalaureate degree.

#### Required Courses

| Course | Title | Units |
| --- | --- | --- |
| PLGL 30 | Introduction to Paralegal/Legal | 3 |
| PLGL 31 | Legal Analysis and Writing | 3 |
| PLGL 32 | Advanced Legal Analysis and Writing | 3 |
| PLGL 33 | Civil Procedure | 3 |
| PLGL 34 | Law Office Procedures | 3 |
| PLGL 35 | Law Office Technology | 3 |
| PLGL 37 | Tort Law | 3 |
| PLGL 38 | Employment and Ethical Issues in Paralegalism | 3 |
| PLGL 39 | Contract Law | 3 |
| **Choose one elective from the following:** | | 3 |
| ↳ BUSL 18 | Business Law |  |
| ↳ BUSL 19 | Advanced Business Law |  |
| ↳ PLGL 41 | Property Law |  |
| ↳ PLGL 42 | Family Law |  |
| ↳ PLGL 43 | Wills and Trusts |  |
| ↳ PLGL 44 | Bankruptcy Law |  |
| ↳ PLGL 48 | Criminal Law and Procedures |  |
| ↳ PLGL 49 | Evidence Law |  |
| **Total Units** | | **30** |

### Outcomes

##### Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, a student will:

-   Students completing the Paralegal/Legal Assistant Certificate will have increased their confidence in basic paralegal skills.
-   Students completing the Paralegal/Legal Assistant Certificate will competently prepare basic legal documents such as motions and discovery, as they would be asked to do under the direction and supervision of a licensed attorney.
-   Students completing the Paralegal/Legal Assistant Certificate will have earned Lexis certification for paralegals.
-   Students completing the Paralegal/Legal Assistant Certificate will have earned Westlaw certification for paralegals.

Review Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) for this program.

### ABA Approved

The Paralegal/Legal Assistant program is approved by the American Bar Association.

**Contact:**  
American Bar Association  
Chicago Office:  
321 N. Clark Street, 17th Floor  
Chicago, IL 60654-7598  
(312) 988-5618

Washington DC Office:    
1050 Connecticut Ave NW   
Washington, DC  20036  
312.988.5617  
Abigail.Randall@americanbar.org  
www.americanbar.org  |  www.abaparalegals.org